Interventions for improving sit-to-stand ability following stroke.

Background: Standing up from a seated position is one of the most frequently performed functional tasks, is an essential pre-requisite to walking and is important for independent living and preventing falls. Following stroke, patients can experience a number of problems relating to the ability to sit-to-stand independently.

Objectives: To review the evidence of effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving sit-to-stand ability after stroke.

Cognitive rehabilitation for executive dysfunction in adults with stroke or other adult non-progressive acquired brain damage.

Background: Executive functions are the controlling mechanisms of the brain and include the processes of planning, initiation, organisation, inhibition, problem solving, self monitoring and error correction. They are essential for goal-oriented behaviour and responding to new and novel situations. A high number of people with acquired brain injury, including around 75% of stroke survivors, will experience executive dysfunction.

Prediction of anthropometric foot characteristics in children.

Background: The establishment of growth reference values is needed in pediatric practice where pathologic conditions can have a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the pediatric foot. This study aims to use multiple regression to evaluate the effects of multiple predictor variables (height, age, body mass, and gender) on anthropometric characteristics of the peripubescent foot.

Methods: Two hundred children aged 9 to 12 years were recruited, and three anthropometric measurements of the pediatric foot were recorded (foot length, forefoot width, and navicular height).

Anthropometric foot structure of peripubescent children with excessive versus normal body mass: a cross-sectional study.

Background: A variety of musculoskeletal problems have been associated with excessive body mass in children, including structural foot problems.

Methods: Two hundred children aged 9 to 12 years were recruited to evaluate the effect of body mass on foot structure. Three reliable anthropometric measures were recorded: foot length, forefoot width, and navicular height.

Timing phases of the sit-to-walk movement: validity of a clinical test.

The sit-to-walk (STW) movement is a functional task that challenges balance and co-ordination. There is a paucity of literature investigating the phases of this movement and its significance in a clinical rehabilitation context. Measuring phases of this movement may provide clinically applicable data for screening subjects for mobility problems and evaluating interventions.

The effect of independent practice of motor tasks by stroke patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of independent practice of sitting balance as an addition to standard physiotherapy treatment for patients with stroke.

Design: Randomized controlled trial, using blocked randomization procedure with 2:1 ratio.

Subjects: Inpatients with diagnosis of stroke, having achieved one minute of independent sitting balance but not yet achieved 10 independent steps, and with no known previous disabilities, pathology or neurological deficit affecting mobility prior to stroke.